November 15, 2005

A Thanksgiving Tradition Continues

Governor Riley Pardons Clyde the Turkey While
First Lady Collects Warm Winter Blankets for the Needy

Governor Bob Riley, Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, Johnny Adams of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, and First Lady Patsy Riley in front of the Governor’s Mansion at the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony. (Photo, Governor's Office, Robin Cooper)

MONTGOMERY – Fulfilling an Alabama Thanksgiving tradition that dates back to 1947, Governor Bob Riley on Tuesday granted a pardon to the state’s official turkey in a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion.

Joining Governor Riley, First Lady Patsy Riley and Clyde the Turkey were students from Riverchase United Methodist Church Day School in Hoover and Fultondale Elementary School. The students and members of the Camellia Garden Club of Clayton were on hand to donate blankets to the needy as part of Mrs. Riley’s “Blankets With a Blessing” project. Ron Sparks, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, also attended the event.

“We live in a remarkable country,” Governor Riley reminded the students and the crowd gathered at the event. “We pause and just thank God for every blessing that we have.”

Mrs. Riley thanked the students and Camellia Garden Club members for bringing blankets that will be donated to homeless shelters and to Hurricane Katrina evacuees who are temporarily living in state parks. This year marks the second year for Mrs. Riley’s “Blankets With a Blessing” project. Last year, more than 1,000 blankets were collected in this statewide effort to benefit Alabama’s less fortunate and distributed to 30 different shelters. Mrs. Riley attaches a written blessing to each blanket.

“The blankets are to provide warmth for their bodies, and the blessings are to provide warmth for their souls,” said Mrs. Riley. “Last year’s effort was so successful, there was no question about whether we would continue it. The people of Alabama are always so ready to show their compassionate and caring spirit, and I’m truly grateful to each one of them who donates a blanket.”

The turkey that Governor Riley pardoned was presented by Bill Bates, a commercial turkey producer and owner of the Bates House of Turkey restaurant. For 58 years, Bates and the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association have presented Alabama governors with a turkey for the holidays.

Reading from an official proclamation, Governor Riley said Clyde was “pardoned for the crime of being a big, delicious-looking turkey in November.”

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